An Introduction to the World's Oceans, Ninth Edition, is an introductory oceanography text intended for students without a background in mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology, or biology. It emphasizes the role of basic scientific principles in helping understand the processes that govern the ocean and the earth.

A major objective of the text is to stimulate student interest and curiosity by blending contemporary information and research with basic principles to form an integrated introduction to the sciences of the oceans. To keep the text as current as possible, the authors conduct their own research and examine other findings such as analyzing satellite data and large-scale oceanographic programs. From this vast amount of data, they select interesting, relevant, and understandable examples that illustrate contemporary principles of oceanography.

An Introduction to the World's Oceans places greater emphasis on the physical and geological aspects of the oceans than on the chemical and geochemical properties, because the latter disciplines require more specific background knowledge. An ecological approach helps integrate the biological chapters with other subjects. Students are encouraged to look at oceanography as a cohesive and united discipline rather than a collection of subjects gathered under a marine umbrella. As with all previous editions, the authors continue to make each chapter stand as independently as possible, so that professors can assign chapters in the order that best suits their classrooms.

New Features

New co-author Ginger Armbrust, one of the top marine biologists in the country has completely revised the marine biology chapters (chapters 14-18).

The authors each bring unique skills and expertise to this text. Keith Sverdrup has expertise in marine geology, geophysics, and how oceanography relates to other areas of science. New Author Ginger Armbrust, has expertise in marine phytoplankton, marine diatoms and the links between ocean processes and human health.

The new edition contains an extensive discussion of the Indian Ocean tsunami including an essay by Dr. Eddie Bernard, Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, and a world expert on tsunamis.

1 The History of Oceanography 2 The Water Planet 3 Plate Tectonics 4 The Sea Floor and Its Sediments 5 The Physical Properties of Water 6 The Chemistry of Seawater 7 The Structure and Motion of the Atmosphere 8 Circulation and Ocean Structure 9 The Surface Currents 10 The Waves 11 The Tides 12 Coasts, Beaches, and Estuaries 13 Environmental Issues and Concerns 14 The Living Ocean 15 Production and Life 16 The Plankton: Drifters of the Open Ocean 17 The Nekton: Free Swimmers of the Sea 18 The Benthos: Dwellers of the Sea Floor

An Introduction to the World's Oceans, Ninth Edition, is an introductory oceanography text intended for students without a background in mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology, or biology. It emphasizes the role of basic scientific principles in helping understand the processes that govern the ocean and the earth.

A major objective of the text is to stimulate student interest and curiosity by blending contemporary information and research with basic principles to form an integrated introduction to the sciences of the oceans. To keep the text as current as possible, the authors conduct their own research and examine other findings such as analyzing satellite data and large-scale oceanographic programs. From this vast amount of data, they select interesting, relevant, and understandable examples that illustrate contemporary principles of oceanography.

An Introduction to the World's Oceans places greater emphasis on the physical and geological aspects of the oceans than on the chemical and geochemical properties, because the latter disciplines require more specific background knowledge. An ecological approach helps integrate the biological chapters with other subjects. Students are encouraged to look at oceanography as a cohesive and united discipline rather than a collection of subjects gathered under a marine umbrella. As with all previous editions, the authors continue to make each chapter stand as independently as possible, so that professors can assign chapters in the order that best suits their classrooms.

New Features

New co-author Ginger Armbrust, one of the top marine biologists in the country has completely revised the marine biology chapters (chapters 14-18).

The authors each bring unique skills and expertise to this text. Keith Sverdrup has expertise in marine geology, geophysics, and how oceanography relates to other areas of science. New Author Ginger Armbrust, has expertise in marine phytoplankton, marine diatoms and the links between ocean processes and human health.

The new edition contains an extensive discussion of the Indian Ocean tsunami including an essay by Dr. Eddie Bernard, Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, and a world expert on tsunamis.

Table of Contents

1 The History of Oceanography 2 The Water Planet 3 Plate Tectonics 4 The Sea Floor and Its Sediments 5 The Physical Properties of Water 6 The Chemistry of Seawater 7 The Structure and Motion of the Atmosphere 8 Circulation and Ocean Structure 9 The Surface Currents 10 The Waves 11 The Tides 12 Coasts, Beaches, and Estuaries 13 Environmental Issues and Concerns 14 The Living Ocean 15 Production and Life 16 The Plankton: Drifters of the Open Ocean 17 The Nekton: Free Swimmers of the Sea 18 The Benthos: Dwellers of the Sea Floor